Television is still a very important part of our lives today as it was for the first families who enjoyed television decades ago. However, unlike those families and even families of the 1950s to 1970s, …

DIRECTV NOW is a streaming TV service provided by AT&T. It allows you to watch your favorite shows, movies, and live TV channels on the go. It can be used on your TV, or mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

The DIRECTV NOW app lets you view, manage, and update key account settings, such as preferences, streaming, and more.

How to Download and Install DIRECTV NOW App?

Make sure you’re using a DIRECTV NOW supported browser or device. Additionally, make sure to use the DIRECTV NOW app. Attempts to log in to the DIRECTV app (for satellite service) will result in a 201 error message.

To uninstall DIRECTV NOW, delete the app from your device.

DIRECTV NOW Plans

DIRECTV NOW offers several plans to choose from. The price ranges from $30 to $70 per month. The service is not obligatory, meaning no contract. It can be cancelled at any time.

Visit the DIRECTV NOW Plans page in order to learn more about plans and latest offers.

ON DEMAND
Sit back and chill with up to 20,000+ movies and shows – ready when you are. Catch up on hit shows like Empire, The Voice, and This Is Us or watch a movie like Jack Reacher.

PREMIUM CHANNELS
Roll out the red carpet when you add HBO® or Cinemax® at an unbeatable price, or get OBSESSABLE original series & hit movies with Starz. Never miss another episode of Game of Thrones, Westworld, or Black Sails.

WATCH ANYWHERE
DIRECTV NOW streams on your smartphone, tablet, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV. Whether home or on the go, simply download DIRECTV NOW and begin watching Live Television and On Demand Movies.

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Take control of your TV viewing – No annual contracts, No credit checks, and No equipment to lease. It’s time to fall in love with TV again.

Television is still a popular event in many households today, but it’s not just centered around the television sets as it was from the 1950s to the 1990s. In the 2000s with the advent of YouTube and other video services, more and more people were beginning to watch television shows and other video content on their computers and laptop computers. In the 2010s, live television and on-demand services can be accessed via anywhere with an Internet connection. Thanks to the advancements of powerful mobile phones and tablets and faster and more reliable Internet connections, consumers can access live television and on-demand services away from their television sets and virtually anywhere they choose.

TV Service – The Challenge

The consequence was that conventional television providers such as broadcast television and even cable and satellite television providers have had to adapt how they serve up their content to their viewers and subscribers, as just offering packages on the traditional television does not work with many consumers today. Viewers want to be able to access their content from virtually anywhere. In addition, they want to access their content virtually any time they choose, as most are quite busy and don’t want to have to set aside a specific time period for their favorite show, as this may not be possible or convenient.

Another key reason why cable and satellite providers in particular have had to adapt to consumers is because many consumers want to “cut the cord” when it comes to subscribing to traditional cable and satellite packages. Many consumers want to save on costs, especially after the US financial crisis in 2008. One of the common cutbacks they look to remove from their budgets is the cable or satellite subscriptions, since those subscriptions add a sizable amount to the monthly budget, anywhere from $50 to $200 or more per month.

TV Service – The Result

As a result, broadcast, cable, and satellite providers have had to invest much money and resources into capable websites and apps that can hold their content and that can be played back when the viewer or subscriber chooses to access it. This is why IPTV and Streaming TV have become much more prominent in our world over the last few years. Many people are taking advantage of watching their favorite shows at their convenience, even watching whole seasons of shows in one “binge sitting,” something that was not possible just a decade ago.

The cutting back of cable and satellite subscriptions led many content providers on those cable and satellite subscriptions packages, such as HBO, to start offering their content online via their own streaming apps and selling them outright to consumer. Many consumers started utilizing this option to still get access to their favorite shows while still cutting the cable/satellite cord, thereby saving significant money each month.

As a response, cable and satellite operators started offering their own streaming service packages that included a number of premium content providers like HBO, Showtime, Epix, and others as a way for these cable and satellite operators to still have cord-cutting consumers and others as customers without having them subscribe to traditional cable/satellite subscription plans. The fact that Internet connections have become fast enough to reliably stream video and audio content into people’s homes on various consoles/platforms and on mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones have led many people to take up the streaming offerings provided by these cable and satellite operators.

Streaming TV Providers

This is a key reason why DISH Network started Sling TV and DIRECTV has started and focused more on DIRECTV NOW; they want to ensure that they still have a prominent position in the future of television, now that consumers are demanding more choices in what specific channels they have access to and being able to access those channels virtually anytime and anywhere via an Internet connection, even if they are away from home.

Sling TV

Sling TV offers packages for as low as $20 per month, far lower than virtually any traditional cable or satellite subscription package, even those of the lowest-tier. In fact, Sling TV has trademarked the phrase “A La Carte TV™” to show that consumers have more choices when selecting the channels they want as part of their channel package. Sling TV allows you to choose a basic Orange (single-stream and 30 channels) or Blue (multi-stream and over 40 channels) package, then add in channels based on a certain genre, such as news, sports, comedy, lifestyle, kids, or Hollywood content. You can also add such premium channels like HBO or STARZ for an additional cost ($15 and $9, respectively). Additionally, Sling TV allows you to stream that content on virtually any device available – from Apple TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV to Roku, Google Chromecast, and XBox One.

DIRECTV NOW

DIRECTV NOW is DIRECTV’s comparative offer to DISH’s Sling TV in that you can stream over 120 live channels and access over 25,000 on-demand titles without signing up to a traditional satellite subscription. DIRECTV NOW is working to include more local affiliates from across the country, now having at least one local affiliate streaming on their service in 75% of the country. DIRECTV NOW allows for simultaneous streaming on up to two devices at the same time, enabling a household to access content in more than one location at one time. DIRECTV NOW offers HBO, Cinemax, STARZ, and Showtime as premium channel options you can add for an additional fee. Similar to Sling TV, DIRECTV NOW can also be accessed on many different devices and browsers, including Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Chromecast Built-In TVs, select Roku models, devices running Android 4.4+ or iOS 9.0+. DIRECTV NOW can also be accessed via Chrome browsers running version 50 or higher or Safari browsers running version 8 or higher. Note that unlike Sling TV, DIRECTV NOW does not as of yet directly support Android TV or XBox One.

Acorn TV

Acorn TV is a streaming service that shows content from countries such as Britain, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and Canada. Specifically, this company focuses on certain genres of content, including mysteries, comedies, documentaries, and dramas. Some of the shows that are offered include Loch Ness, The Commander, Newton’s Law, 19-2, Boomers, and Decline and Fall. Acorn TV provides a free-week trial (which almost every streaming TV provider offers, with some like DIRECTV NOW offering a free month), and they provide the content commercial-free for $4.99 per month or for a discounted $49.99 per year.

Also like many providers, Acorn TV is available on many devices and platforms, including on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, various Apple devices such as the iPhone and the iPad, on various Android devices, via Google Chromecast, directly online via a Web browser, and more. Acorn TV provides over 1,800 hours of programming, including 60 shows that are exclusive to Acorn TV. Acorn TV is currently available to customers in the United States and Canada only.

Netflix

One of the most prominent streaming TV content providers today is Netflix. This company started out in the DVD sale and rental business in 1997, but started providing streaming content in 2007, and even began streaming its own series, House of Cards, in 2013. Streaming content they provide include various movies, television shows, and documentaries from several content providers, including the first non-US run and second US run of the new Dynasty series.

Netflix has three main subscription plans: Basic, Standard, and Premium. The Basic Plan currently costs $7.99, allows you to stream on one screen at any time and is in Standard Definition (SD) only. You do get the first month free, can access unlimited movies and TV shows, and can watch on your TV, laptop, tablet, or phone. The Standard Plan currently costs $10.99, allows you to watch available content in High Definition (HD), and allows you to stream on up to two devices at one time. The Premium Plan currently costs $13.99, allows you to watch available content in Ultra HD (a.k.a. 4K HD), and allows you to stream on up to four devices at one time. You are allowed to downgrade or upgrade your plan at any time, and you are also allowed to cancel your plan at any time, as you are not obliged to sign any contract as you would with traditional cable or satellite subscription packages.

Hulu TV

Hulu is another growing streaming service content provider, and like Netflix, is also investing in creating its own series, such as The Handmaid’s Tale, as well as negotiating with other content providers to offer their content on their streaming service. For instance, you can only watch Seasons 1 and 2 of AMC’s Fear The Walking Dead on Hulu. Hulu has its own standalone streaming service where they give you 30 days free, then has a special one-year price of $5.99 per month, followed by $7.99 per month thereafter. This plan will allow you to access Hulu’s streaming library that includes Hulu Original series, TV shows (including full seasons for some shows) from various content providers, classic and the latest movies (such as Spectre 007), and more. Premium channels such as HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime can be added to your plan for an additional cost per month. All content can be streamed on virtually any device, and you can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your plan at any time.

Hulu has recently begun offering Live TV along with its own streaming library for $39.99 per month. This offering is in Beta mode, and there is a 7-day free trial. You can watch Live TV online via Apple TV (4th generation), Amazon Fire TV, Roku, iOS devices, Android devices, Google Chromecast, and XBox. You can stream over 50 Live and On Demand TV channels that include entertainment, sports, and news. Again, you can add such premium channels like Showtime, Cinemax, and HBO for an additional cost per month, and you can upgrade, downgrade, or cancel your plan at any time.

Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video is Amazon’s own streaming content service, originally provided as a benefit to Amazon Prime membership for $99 per year, but has now been offered outside of an Amazon Prime membership to consumers at a cost of $8.99 per month. Like other streaming service providers, Amazon has put money and resources into creating their own exclusive series, including The Man In The High Castle and Inside Edge, along with series you can only see on Amazon Prime Instant Video, including The Tick, Tin Star, Downton Abbey, and The Americans. You can also see various Nickelodeon content like SpongeBob SquarePants, along with various movies like Spectre 007 and Terminator: Genisys, as well as Amazon Original Movies like Manchester By The Sea and The Lost City of Z.

Amazon Prime Video can be watched on many devices and platforms, including many different HDTVs, Blu-Ray players, and streaming media players. The Amazon Fire TV is able to access Amazon Prime Instant Video, as is the PlayStation 3 and 4, XBox 360 and XBox One, the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo Wii U, and the Amazon Fire TV Stick. You can also watch your Amazon Prime Instant Video content on most Apple and Android devices via the Amazon Prime Video app. Amazon Prime Instant Video is also available on most Roku TVs, as well as most Roku and TiVo set-top boxes. You can also watch via almost any Web browser by logging into your Amazon account on the Amazon website and watching from there as well.

Television is still a very important part of our lives today as it was for the first families who enjoyed television decades ago. However, unlike those families and even families of the 1950s to 1970s, the way we get television now is considerably different from the way they did back then. Back then, it was just over-the-antenna television through “rabbit ears” or other antennas that picked up the free television airwaves, normally from their broadcast stations in their own local area.

Various Types of TV Service

Nowadays, we have many options to pick up television, and we can even pick up television from the other side of the globe. Cable television’s origins stretch back to 1948, but the Cable TV most are familiar with really took off in the 1980s, where additional channels of content could be received only when they were unlocked via a paid subscription. As we continued into the 1990s and early 2000s, satellite TV provided reception of even more channels via a satellite dish and often provided them in better visual quality, forcing cable companies to update their visual quality to digital to match satellite technology.

As the 2000s continued onward and more people were beginning to get greater Internet connection speeds at home thanks to DSL and broadband Internet, people were able to get more and more content online. This meant they were able to access more photos and videos online, which eventually led to people wanting television programming through their online Internet connections. This led to companies making use of Internet connection technology, such as DSL, broadband cable lines, and even fiber optic networks, to enable cable and satellite channels to be brought into homes via their Internet connections. This is often known as IPTV.

As the late 2000s and early 2010s led to the advent of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, people wanted to be able to access more visual and audio content online while out and about. Internet connection speeds have become even faster in the 2010s to the point where people could easily access visual and audio technology from almost anywhere on their mobile devices. This has led to streaming TV to where channel providers are now allowing people to access their exclusive content via their own dedicated apps. Some companies have created subscription plans or lineups of dedicated apps so people can access their favorite shows on the go without even having a dedicated cable or satellite connection. We will explore all of these technologies in more detail below.

IPTV Service

IPTV is an acronym for Internet Protocol Television. This technology allows for the delivery of televised content, including video, audio, television, text, data, and graphics, over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. It is done securely and reliably to those who have paid for access (i.e. subscribers) of the service, enabling the service to be delivered at a high level for subscribers, and a key reason why one must pay for access. Without paying for access, one cannot access IPTV and the programs or content within that network. There are three main IPTV services: Live television and media, which can include related interactivity; time-shifted media or replays of a program that has already been aired; and video on demand (VOD), which allows one to access and view select items from within the IPTV’s menu or catalog.

IPTV has been widely used since 2002 to provide television and audio-visual (AV) media around businesses and commercial areas, including live television channels and video-on-demand content. Sports stadiums, airports, schools, hotels, and offices are just some of the many businesses that utilize this technology.

IPTV has really taken off in people’s homes since Internet connection speeds have become faster and more people are utilizing the Internet in their daily lives. Several companies have emerged to provide IPTV to subscribers in the United States. One company is AT&T with its U-verse TV service, where you can access over 234 channels in HD, plus record up to four shows at once via the Total Home DVR® so you can view them at your choosing. Another IPTV company is Comcast with its XFINITY TV service, which utilizes voice recognition technology in order to allow you to select shows you wish to watch instantly and even stream them if you choose on virtually any device. Additionally, you can also access online-only providers such as Netflix right from the X1 IPTV platform. A third IPTV company is Verizon with its Fios TV service, which allows you to record multiple programs at the same time, enable you to pause, rewind, and re-watch live TV, and even watch recordings of shows on your mobile devices via the Fios Mobile App.

Satellite TV Service

Satellite TV is a service that utilizes a communications satellite that is in orbit around the Earth to deliver television programming to subscribers within their homes via the satellite dishes that are installed on their rooftops or in their yards. Those subscribers then have satellite receivers, either as built-in television tuners or set-top boxes, that decode the signals one receives from their satellite dish. There are many television services and networks available via satellite dishes. In many cases, satellite TV is the only service that can reach remote areas because of its utilization of the communication satellite orbiting Earth.

Earlier satellite TV services used analog signals, but like regular television today, current satellite TV services use digital signals for improved reliability and clarity in the content being delivered. The communications satellite used to transmit the signals to subscribers’ homes is located 23,000 miles above the Earth’s equator, allowing it to remain in a fixed position in the sky; as a result, this allows the subscribers’ satellite dishes to be permanently fixed on that location, which improves the signal reliability and service to subscribers.

There are two main satellite TV service providers in the United States: DIRECTV and DISH Network. DIRECTV was acquired in 2015 by AT&T to enable the company to offer a satellite TV offering in addition to its own IPTV U-verse TV offering. DIRECTV offers paid programming accessible via satellite; it also utilizes technology that is used in other technology fields, such as using DVR to enable you to record your favorite shows, then play them back at your convenience. Additionally, you can access your content and your subscription plan, including live TV, on the DIRECTV app.

Similarly, DISH Network also utilizes satellite technology to enable you to access content that is only available via paid subscription. Like with DIRECTV, DISH also allows you to record many hours of content and to play them back at your convenience via their Hopper 3 DVR technology. In addition, you can access content from your DISH Network subscription package via the Dish Anywhere® feature, and you can access any of your content anywhere via the Dish Anywhere® App. They are even integrating voice recognition technology into their platform, as well as integrating Amazon’s Alexa smart assistant technology to make watching your favorite programming even easier and quicker.

Cable TV Service

Cable TV involves delivering television programming through radio frequency (RF) signals transmitted through coaxial cables or through light signals transmitted through fiber-optic cables. This differs from broadcast television in that those signals are transmitted over radio waves, which are picked up by an antenna attached to the television. Cable TV’s coaxial cables or fiber-optic cables are also capable of transmitting high-speed Internet, telephone service, and FM radio programming, a key reason why many cable television companies also offer telephone and Internet services as well. Since the 2000s, Cable TV has been providing digital cable quality, partly to counter satellite television’s superior picture and audio quality when it first arrived on the market.

Only those who have a set-top box and a coaxial cable via a paid subscription are able to receive the programming; otherwise, those channels are inaccessible. Even if you had a tuner or satellite dish that could pick up those frequencies, you would not get anything but static, as premium cable TV operators installed scrambling circuitry to block out the signal to all but those who pay for subscriptions, something that did not occur immediately when Cable TV entered the market.

Comcast’s Digital Cable TV Service is known as XFINITY or “X1.” This service allows you to pick up the major cable networks such as CNN, the Cartoon Network, Fox News, Nickelodeon, the Travel Channel, the Food Network, etc., while also giving you the option to pick up more premium channels such as HBO, Showtime, and Epix. Cable companies such as Comcast are integrating technology such as voice remotes and the ability to access online-only broadcasters such as Netflix directly from their platform in an effort to better satisfy consumers’ growing content demands.

Similarly, Charter Spectrum is adding enhanced features to its platform and plans so that consumers have more content choices. With their Spectrum TV Gold plan, subscribers can have access to premium channel Epix. With their Spectrum TV On Demand, subscribers can have access to free primetime shows on their schedule, and if they subscribe to premium channels, they can even play the greatest shows on those networks at virtually any time that they choose.

Cox Communications provides similar features to Comcast and Charter Spectrum. Like those companies as well, they are willing to offer subscribers additional discounts on their cable TV subscriptions if they sign up for other services they offer, including telephone and Internet. Cable TV operators are capable of transmitting more than just television programming; these operators are taking advantage of that capability to offer the consumer more services in return for more significant discounts on those services, often known as “bundling.”

Streaming TV Service

Streaming TV (sometimes known as “streaming media”) is content that is delivered by a provider to an end-user who is continuously receiving that content. Instead of the user downloading the entire content to his/her device (computer, mobile phone, tablet, etc.) before watching and/or listening to it, the user can begin to watch and/or listen to the content while it is being served or “streamed” to the user’s device. This can be done thanks to the Internet connection the user has, either a cellular connection and/or WiFi Internet connection.

The term “streaming” was first applied to tape drives by Data Electronics Inc. for drives that were designed to ramp up slowly, then run for the entire track. In terms of streaming as we think today, it was first applied in the early 1990s to better describe video on demand on IP networks.

Streaming video and audio content became possible when Internet connection speeds became faster in the late 1990s and throughout the 2000s. Now, in the 2010s, it is possible for now home users to have data download speeds of up to 1 Gbps. Slower connection speeds provided by dial-up Internet connections and early DSL and broadband Internet connections would lead to stuttering, causing the video and audio content to cut out periodically, lessening the user experience.

This is why streaming TV has only recently taken off, with Netflix only offering streaming media services since 2007 even though the company has existed since 1997. It’s also why Netflix has invested more in creating its own content for its subscribers over the last few years, beginning with its acclaimed first series, House of Cards, in 2013.

Other streaming TV companies have followed suit. Hulu, a subscription video on demand service jointly owned by Disney-ABC Television Group (30%), NBCUniversal (30%), Fox Entertainment Group (30%), and Turner Broadcasting System (10%), has started producing its own content, plus has teamed up with the aforementioned owners to allow their content to be streamed through their platform.

Amazon Prime is Amazon’s subscription service that allows subscribers to access Amazon’s exclusive series, plus other content such as movies, television shows, and documentaries, through their Amazon account. As additional benefits to subscribing, Amazon Prime also allows subscribers to receive free one-day shipping on their orders from the retailers, stream music from their catalog for free, and more.

Sling TV is DISH Network’s streaming TV service that is especially targeted toward “cord cutters,” those consumers who want to cut their subscriptions to cable and satellite television providers, yet still have access to such cable and satellite channels such as ESPN, CNN, Fox News, and more.

Acorn TV has distributed British television to the United States since 1994, but now streams media content from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland as well. The content is specifically focused on documentaries, comedies, dramas, and both new and classic mysteries. The service can be received through many devices, including Roku, Amazon TV, and Apple TV.

DIRECTV NOW is AT&T’s (as AT&T owns DIRECTV) streaming option for consumers, especially for “cord-cutters.” You don’t have to be subscribed to a DIRECTV programming package to receive DIRECTV NOW. This option was offered to counter long-time rival’s DISH Network’s Sling TV, as well as to provide consumers, especially cord-cutters, a way to gain access to cable and satellite channels without the long-term commitment of a contract inherent in traditional cable and satellite subscriptions.

TV Service – A Conclusion

There are many advantages and disadvantages with each of the four main technologies discussed here: IPTV, Satellite TV, Cable TV, and Streaming TV. IPTV and Streaming TV have given consumers another option to obtain their favorite cable and satellite channels without having to subscribe to a traditional cable or satellite subscription package, thereby saving consumers money. It’s also forced cable and satellite providers to adapt to consumers’ growing demands for more choices in their channel lineups and not having to pay for channels they never watch.

However, the disadvantages with both IPTV and Streaming TV is that you need a fast and reliable Internet connection in order to have the necessary bandwidth to utilize those technologies. Failing to have the necessary bandwidth will result in a poor-quality experience, as most audio and video will not play smoothly, leading to many interruptions in the content being played. Of course, having enough bandwidth to utilize IPTV and Streaming TV is an additional cost (and, often, a significant cost that can cost $50-$100+ per month or even more) that is not needed with traditional cable and satellite TV.

With cable and satellite TV, you don’t have to have an Internet connection to utilize these services; you just have to sign up for a service, allow their technicians to come to your home and install the dish and/or boxes and cables, then sit back and enjoy the service. Therefore, there is only one cost, but it can be an inefficient cost, being that you get many channels you won’t watch, while potentially not getting channels you want to see, but having to pay more money to get access to those.

One other disadvantage with satellite TV is that, due to the position of the satellite in Earth’s orbit, the transmission of the content will be interrupted two times per year by what is called “sun outage,” as the sun gets directly in between the satellite and the satellite dish for about ten minutes near midday. This issue does not impact other services such as cable, IPTV, or streaming TV because they don’t utilize a satellite to transmit the content to subscribers.

In any case, after a careful research, a TV service user can make some conclusion in order to select what is the best TV service option for her/him.

In today’s fast-paced Information Age, content and information reign. Virtually, people want or need to know exactly what is going on at virtually all times. At one time in the not-too-distant past, that was only possible through research, knowing specific people, and/or being close to a television or radio so you could hear about breaking news and information as it happened. However, as the 1990s and 2000s came and went, a new technology that revolutionized the world was born: The Internet.

The Internet has enabled people from across the globe to have access to more information and resources than any previous generation and during any time period in human history. The Internet has revolutionized the way people have remained in contact with each other, learned about each other, conducted business and commerce, and even for applying for employment positions, among other activities. This has become even more prevalent with the recent advent of mobile devices capable of picking up Internet signals and transferring information. With the advent of the Internet and how it has impacted life on Earth, it is vital that you have a strong, reliable Internet connection that enables you to enjoy and utilize the benefits that the Internet has to offer. Below, we will examine eight different Internet service providers so you can get the most value from your Internet connection.

AT&T Internet

One notable Internet service is AT&T Internet. Provided by AT&T, a well-established telecommunications company, AT&T Internet provides you with several Internet plans to fulfill your various needs and requirements. The faster the Internet speed, the more able you will be to do multiple activities on the Internet without difficulty.

They offer a 50 Mbps Internet service plan with a 1 TB data limit per month for $40 per month plus additional taxes. This plan is their lowest-priced plan, and it allows you to stream on multiple devices. If you need additional data per month, you can pay for an extra 50 GB data for $10 extra, up to an additional 500 GB (0.5 TB) of data at $100 extra per month. They provide you with a Wi-Fi Gateway Router to enable you to connect your devices, plus a Smart Home Manager that enables you to easily customize and manage the Wi-Fi in your home. You can get this package for just $30 per month if you are willing to bundle another qualifying AT&T service, such as telephone or U-verse satellite television service, with your Internet service.

Other Internet service plans that AT&T Internet provides include a 75 Mbps service plan that enables you to easily binge watch your favorite TV series and movies and a 100 Mbps service plan that enables you to have many Internet users in your home, and especially those who are serious gamers. All AT&T Internet plans have 99% signal reliability so that you have consistent Internet service throughout your home so that you can access the Internet from virtually anywhere in your home and from any device.

Comcast XFINITY Internet

Another notable Internet service provider is Comcast XFINITY. Provided by the largest home service Internet provider in the United States, XFINITY xFi home WiFi gives you the coverage, speed, and control that you need to take advantage of all that the Internet has to offer. They provide Internet speeds ranging from as low as 10 Mbps to as high as 350 Mbps.

Their Internet plans don’t require any term agreement. Their plan of up to 10 Mbps costs $49.95 per month with no term agreement required. Their plan of up to 25 Mbps costs $39.95 per month for the first year, $74.95 per month afterwards. These plans are very good for between 1-5 devices surfing at the same time, light streaming, and downloading music.

Their higher-speed plans are good for more intensive streaming and other activities. Their 25 to 55 Mbps plans are good for average streaming, as well as for downloading music, photos, and shows. Their 70 to 100 Mbps plans enable you to easily stream on multiple devices, download your favorite shows quickly so you can watch them immediately, and download large files quickly so you can get to work promptly. This plan is especially good if you plan to have six to eight devices utilizing the Internet at the same time.

If you plan to use more than eight devices to access the Internet at the same time, XFINITY’s 150 to 200 Mbps service plans are good choices, particularly since they will allow you to download virtually any show in seconds, stream shows on multiple devices at the same time in HD quality, and enable multiple players to play online at the same time. If you plan to have more than 12 devices connecting to the Internet at the same time, XFINITY’s 250 to 350 Mbps plans are a great choice, as they allow many players to play online at the same time, allow for ease of heavy Internet usage activities, and provide the fastest speeds possible.

Verizon Fios Internet

Another quality Internet service provider to consider is Verizon. According to PC Mag’s Readers’ Choice Survey, Verizon Fios has been rated number one in speed satisfaction for 12 consecutive years. Verizon Fios provides you with five main Internet-only service plans to consider. The first is their 50/50 (upload speed/download speed) Mbps plan that costs $39.99 per month for 1 year, along with taxes, equipment charges (including a $10 per month router fee), and other fees. You can upload 200 photos in just 40 seconds on this plan. Verizon Fios provides a 100/100 Mbps plan for $64.99 per month for the first year, along with taxes, equipment charges (including a $10 per month router fee), and other fees. You can upload 200 photos in just 20 seconds on this plan. Verizon Fios also provides a 150/150 Mbps for $74.99 per month for one year, plus taxes, equipment charges (including a $10 per month router fee), and other fees. You can upload 200 photos in just 13.3 seconds on this plan.

Their fourth plan is the 300/300 Mbps plan that is $94.99 per month for the first year, plus taxes, equipment charges (including a $10 per month router fee), and other fees. You can upload 200 photos in just 6.7 seconds on this plan. Their fifth and fastest-speed plan is their 500/500 Mbps plan that costs $194.99 per month for the first year, plus taxes, equipment charges (including a $10 per month router fee), and other fees. You can upload 200 photos in just 4 seconds on this plan.

Charter Spectrum Internet

Next notable Internet service provider to consider is Charter Spectrum. Spectrum Internet can provide you with Internet speeds beginning at 100 Mbps and starting at $29.99 per month if you bundle your Internet service with other Spectrum services, such as phone and/or cable television service. Such speed will enable you to connect all of the devices in your home without sacrificing performance. All plans provide a high-performance router free of charge so that your Internet connection is able to provide excellent range and speed throughout your home. You also receive 24 hours per day, 7 days per week of dedicated technical support so that you are always able to have any connection problems or account issues handled in a prompt manner.

Charter Spectrum allows you to have access to thousands of WiFi hotspots across your local area and even across the United States. Access to these hotspots are free as part of any plan you choose, enabling you to stay connected while you are out and about on any device, including laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.

Charter Spectrum also provides you with their Security Suite to help you to browse more safely online. This suite will automatically detect viruses and spam, as well as help to keep identity thieves and hackers out of your email inbox. You have full control of your Internet thanks to parental controls, which enable you to lock out access to undesired websites by time of day, by category, and by age level. You can install this Security Suite on up to ten computers as part of your Internet plan.

Charter Spectrum Internet does not put data caps on your usage, nor lower your Internet connection speed, and you are not required to sign a contract for a specific period.

Cox Internet

Another notable Internet service provider to consider is Cox. Cox Internet has four main plans for you to consider. The first is the Cox Internet Starter plan that provides up to 5 Mbps download speeds, ideal for fewer than three devices browsing the Internet at the same time, at a sale price of $29.99 per month for the first year. You also get 1 Mbps upload speeds, 10 email accounts with up to 2 GB of storage, and Cox Security Suite powered by McAfee®. Their second plan is the Cox Internet Essential plan of up to 15 Mbps download speeds and up to 2 Mbps upload speeds for a sale price of $39.99 per month for the first year. The same email accounts and Security Suite is provided for this plan as well. This plan is ideal for 3 to 5 devices accessing the Internet at the same time and doing light activities such as receiving emails or surfing websites on the Internet.

The email accounts and Security Suite are also provided in the Cox Internet Preferred 100 plan, along with up to 100 Mbps download speeds and up to 10 Mbps upload speeds, for a sale price of $59.99 per month for the first year. This plan is great for those who connect five to seven devices at one time and/or for Internet users who play many games online. With this plan, you also get access to 500,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots.

The fourth plan is the Cox Internet Ultimate plan offering up to 300 Mbps download speeds and up to 30 Mbps upload speeds for a sale price of $79.99 per month for the first year. This plan is great for those who connect seven to nine devices at one time, along with those who download large files or stream movies and/or TV shows online. With this plan, you get 10 email accounts with up to 10 GB of storage each, as well as access to the 500,000 free Wi-Fi hotspots.

CenturyLink Internet

CenturyLink is another notable Internet service provider to consider. They have just introduced their new “Price for Life” promotion that allows you to have specific Internet speeds for life without a contract, provided your area is covered by their service. Their first plan is 25 Mbps download speeds for $45 per month, plus taxes. This plan is ideal for supporting multiple devices, as well as for streaming movies. You also get Norton Antivirus included in your plan. If you need greater speed, you can get their 40 Mbps download speed plan for $55 per month, plus taxes. This plan is also eligible for “Price for Life” with no contract. This plan is also ideal for supporting multiple devices, as well as for playing intensive HD games online and streaming many HD movies and TV shows.

CenturyLink Internet also provides a 1 Gbps download speed plan for $85 per month, plus taxes. This plan is also a “Price for Life” no contract offer as well. You can upload and download files at 1 Gbps speeds, enabling you to download your HD movies and shows within seconds, as well as post many photos and videos to your social media sites quickly. You can save on the amount of mobile data you use by connecting all of your mobile devices to your in-home Wi-Fi.

Other CenturyLink Internet connection service plans available that are not “Price for Life” options include 12 Mbps, 20 Mbps, and 100 Mbps download speeds.

Note that all CenturyLink Internet service plans include Norton Antivirus, fast and reliable in-home Wi-Fi service, and 24-hour, 7-day technical support to ensure your Internet connection remains up and running at all times.

Frontier Internet

Frontier is another provider of Internet connection services. They provide three main Internet service plans. Their Simply Broadband Max Internet plan provides 6 Mbps download speed for $19.99 per month for the first year, $34.99 per month for the second year. It is their best value plan that allows for easy surfing, emailing, and shopping, especially for one to two Internet users.

Their Simply Broadband Ultra plan costs $29.99 per month for the first year, $44.99 per month for the second year. It allows for up to 12 Mbps download speeds, which makes it perfect for both streaming TV shows and movies, as well as for playing online games and for video conferencing calls. It is especially ideal for two to four Internet users.

Their Simply Broadband Ultimate Internet plan allows for up to 24 Mbps download speeds and costs $39.99 per month for the first year, $54.99 per month for the second year. This plan is ideal for homes where multiple devices will be accessing the Internet at the same time, especially for three to five Internet users. This plan is versatile in where it can be used for video streaming and even for conducting business online via a home office.

In select areas, Frontier Internet even provides faster speeds via FiOS Internet that allow for speeds of up to 500 Mbps upload and download speeds through a fiber-optic network. They also provide up to 1 Gbps download speeds through Vantage Internet, with no data caps.

All Frontier Internet service plans do NOT require a contract, plus provide you with a free Wi-Fi router so that you can utilize your Internet plan throughout your entire home. Frontier is currently offering a promotion for new customers in select areas to receive a free $50 Amazon Gift Card if you switch to their Internet service.

Altice USA Internet

Another notable Internet service provider to consider is Altice USA. They have two main Internet service brands: Suddenlink Communications and Optimum Internet. SuddenLink Communications provides Internet connection speeds of between 50 Mbps to 1 Gbps in select markets. Their 1 Gbps service plans include unlimited data. They provide 24/7 customer support and have a world-class technical team to handle any issues that arise to ensure you have high-quality Internet at all times. In addition, they provide professional installation for their Internet service plans and encrypt the network to ensure that you serve safely and your private information remains private. You can connect up to 20 devices wirelessly and ensure you can connect at the fastest speeds possible.

SuddenLink Internet can be bundled with phone and TV services to enjoy even greater savings and convenience. SuddenLink is also a preferred partner of both TiVo® and Netflix® because of their Internet service and offerings.

Optimum Internet has six different Internet service plans: Optimum 10 provides up to 10 Mbps download speeds, while their Optimum 60 provides up to 60 Mbps download speeds, which makes it a great plan for chatting and checking emails. Their Optimum 100 plan enables download speeds of up to 100 Mbps, enabling many people at once to download, post, search, and shop at the same time. Their Optimum 200 plan enables download speeds of up to 200 Mbps, enabling you to stream video, do video conferencing with ease, and download large files within seconds. Their Optimum 300 plan enables download speeds of up to 300 Mbps, enabling multiple players to play online at the same time, plus stream movies and video chat on multiple devices easily. Their highest-speed plan, the Optimum 400, allows for download speeds of up to 400 Mbps, enabling uninterrupted game play for multiple online players, easy streaming of HD movies, and easy downloads of multiple and/or sizable files.

Internet Service Providers – A Conclusion

As you can see, there are many Internet service providers you can choose from; we explored just eight in this article, and this is NOT an exhaustive list by any means. The key to picking the best Internet service providers for your needs is to determine what activities you wish or need to do on the Internet, as well as how many users need to access the Internet at the same time. The more intensive the activities – such as gaming, streaming video content, and/or doing conference calls online via video – the higher the Internet connection speed you need in order to avoid lagging and taking additional time to complete the tasks you wish to complete.

Most Internet service providers provide entry-level plans that are more affordable and that are appropriate for light to medium-intensive activities for one to two users, gradually increasing into plans that allow more intense activities and number of users. Many Internet service providers also provide additional savings for the first year of usage, but it’s important to note this in order to avoid a shock at the amount you will pay for the second and subsequent years. It is best to find out what the actual price is for the second and subsequent years to properly determine how much you will pay for the Internet service plan you are considering and what is the absolute best value plan you can get to fit your needs.

It’s also important to consider the quality of the service you will receive, as well as what Internet service providers are actually in your area. Most providers will provide you with boxes to enter in your street address, city, state, and/or zip code to find out the best deals and if their service is actually in your area. It is best to utilize this to ensure that you can get the service you are looking at, as not all service providers cover all areas of the United States.

By utilizing the information above, you can determine what specific Internet speeds you need to fulfill your requirements and activities you wish to do online, as well as find out the best value service provider who can provide that speed to you. You can also determine whether bundling other services such as television and/or phone services can also help you to save on overall cost for your Internet connection as well.

Television is an activity that many families across the United States and world enjoy. Oftentimes, many families will gather around the television to watch their favorite shows, while also checking out news, weather, and sports. This can include local news and sports teams to watching national news and sports that are outside of your local area. There are many television service providers today that can provide your local channels so you can learn what is going on in your local neighborhood, while also providing you with channels that can only be found on basic and even premium cable networks.

Choosing a TV Service Provider

It is important to compare these various TV service providers, as they can differ in terms of the station packages you can receive and at what prices, as well as the quality of service and customer service, and the reliability of the service they provide to you. The information below will help you to evaluate the many popular TV service providers that are available today so that you can intelligently and thoroughly evaluate your options to determine which of these offers is the best and most financially sound and valuable choice for your household.

DIRECTV

One of the most popular choices of TV service providers in America today is DIRECTV. This company provides a satellite TV service. It was acquired by AT&T® for $48.5 billion on July 24, 2015, thereby enabling AT&T to add its own Internet service in packaged bundles with DIRECTV’s channel subscription packages. DIRECTV has six main packages of channels for you to choose from. These range from the lowest package of 150+ channels (known as the “Select” package) costing $50 per month for the first 12 months and $90 per month for the second 12 months to their highest package of 325+ channels (known as the “Premier” package) costing $125 per month for the first 12 months and $187 per month for the second 12 months, along with a possible extra $7.29 per month regional sports fee depending upon your market.

It is important to note that all DIRECTV packages require you to sign up to a 24-month TV agreement; if you choose to end that agreement before the allotted 24 months, you will be required to pay a $20 per month termination fee for every month that is left on the agreement. There are additional equipment non-return and additional fees as well.

Each of the top 4 programming packages includes NFL Sunday Ticket 2017 at no additional cost. DIRECTV provides you with the ability to record your favorite shows and even transfer shows to another television in your house or even to your mobile device via the Genie® HD DVR device. You also have the capability of watching select shows that have aired in the past three days via their 72 Hour Rewind feature or restarting live shows via their Restart feature. Via 2001-2017 ACSI surveys of customers rating their own TV providers performance, DIRECTV has been rated #1 in customer satisfaction over cable for the past 17 years.

AT&T U-verse TV

Another popular TV service provider is AT&T U-verse® TV. Note that U-verse TV is provided by the same company that owns DIRECTV (AT&T), but they are two different TV services because they are based on two separate technologies – DIRECTV is a satellite TV service, while AT&T U-verse TV is an Internet-based service; as a result, don’t presume you will get the same exact channels and packages just because AT&T owns both TV services. With U-verse TV, you can get the same monthly price for two years if you combine U-verse TV with any of AT&T’s telephone and/or other Internet services.

All U-verse TV offers require a 12-month agreement; if you break the agreement, you will be charged on a prorated basis for the remaining amount of time, plus equipment non-return fees. When you sign up to a 12-month agreement, you will receive HD service, Total Home DVR®, and up to 3 additional receivers. Once the 12-month period has ended, you will be charged the current monthly rate unless you can cancel before the promo period ends. There is a $35 activation fee to receive U-verse TV unless you order online.

You can receive over 234 channels in HD, plus record up to 4 shows via the Total Home DVR, which is included in every package. Select packages enable you to receive the first three months of HBO® and Cinemax® for free. You also have the capability to stream your shows on virtually any device, including your computer, tablet, or mobile phone. The three main packages include U-Family, U200, and U450. U-Family costs $50 per month for 12 months, and you receive over 200 channels. The U200 package costs $70 per month for 12 months and includes over 360 channels and apps. The U450 packages costs $125 per month for 12 months and includes over 550 channels and apps. If you combine your U-verse TV package with AT&T Internet, you can enjoy additional savings and have everything listed on one bill.

XFINITY TV

XFINITY TV, a cable based TV service, is another popular choice for many Americans. This service is provided by Comcast, which is the second-largest pay-TV company after AT&T and the largest cable TV company in the United States. Their five main channel subscription packages are Limited Basic with over 10 channels, Economy with over 100 channels, Starter with over 140 channels, Preferred with over 220 channels, and Premium with over 260 channels. You have the option to add premium channels including HBO, Starz, Showtime, Cinemax, The Movie Channel, and Netflix.

With XFINITY’s latest DVR box X1, you can watch your Netflix movies and shows without changing inputs. You can also use the X1 Voice Remote to find any Netflix program you wish to watch, as well as use that voice remote to change channels, search for any show across all networks, and get recommendations on what shows you may like.

Utilizing the XFINITY Stream app, you can access any channel in your TV service plan on the go, including on your tablet and mobile phone. This includes getting thousands of On Demand shows and movies, as well as the ability to access your DVR library from anywhere you have an Internet connection.

X1 gives you the ability to ensure your children watch age-appropriate content with Kids Zone, including live TV and recordings appropriate for those 12 and under. Additionally, you can filter the content by age group as well, ensuring your children are only watching what you want them to watch. X1 also has accessibility features that ensure everyone can enjoy XFINITY, including a talking guide for the visually impaired, the aforementioned Voice Remote to aid those with vision and/or mobility difficulties, and enhanced closed captioning for those who have hearing difficulties.

Fios TV

Another noted TV provider is Verizon. Verizon’s Fios® TV, an Internet-based TV service, gives you the option to choose one of their existing TV subscription packages or create a custom plan of your own based on specific themes. Their existing TV subscription packages include their Preferred HD package of over 255 channels (over 80 in HD) for $74.99 per month for the first year, their Extreme HD package of over 330 channels (over 100 in HD) for $79.99 per month for the first year, and their Ultimate HD package of over 425 channels (over 145 in HD) for $89.99 per month for the first year. Other packages include Fios TV Local with over 15 channels (over 5 in HD) for $10 per month for the first year, Fios TV Mundo (Spanish package) with over 200 channels (over 40 in HD) for $49.99 per month for the first year, and Fios TV Mundo Total (Spanish package) with over 205 channels (over 40 in HD) for $54.99 per month for the first year.

When it comes to Verizon Fios’ Custom TV packages, you can choose between Action & Entertainment, Sports & News, Kids & Pop, News & Variety, Infotainment & Drama, Lifestyle & Reality, and Home & Family packages, each of which cost $64.99 per month for the first year. On any package, you can choose to add the five main premium channels – HBO, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax, and Epix. You can choose to add one for $15 extra per month, two for $25 extra per month, three for $30 extra per month, and all five premium channels for $40 extra per month.

According to the 2017 American Customer Satisfaction Index, Fios TV ranked #1 in customer ratings for HD picture quality and TV signal reliability. Additionally, every major customer satisfaction study had ranked Fios higher than cable TV providers, including Optimum, Comcast, Cox, and Spectrum.

DISH Network

Next television provider to consider is DISH Network. It is an American direct-broadcast satellite provider that provides both local and cable television channels. They offer four main television packages: America’s Top 120 that includes 190 channels for $49.99 per month, America’s Top 120+ that includes over 190 channels for $59.99 per month, America’s Top 200 that includes over 240 channels for $69.99 per month, and America’s Top 250 that includes over 290 channels for $79.99 per month. All packages include a price guarantee for two years, ensuring your rates will not go up immediately after you sign up for a package.

DISH Network latest DVR box, the “Hopper 3,” has the ability to locate your remote control if you ever lose it by pressing a button on the Hopper 3 unit, which will cause your remote control to beep and blink so you can find it. It has voice remote capabilities so that you can easily search through the channel guide, recorded programs, On Demand shows, and even Netflix with just one search. It can even utilize Amazon’s Alexa technology to enable you to speak with it and allow it to automatically change channels to whatever you choose.

DISH’s Hopper 3 also has AutoHop, which allows you to skip all commercials in select primetime recordings so that you can just watch the content you’ve been waiting to see. In addition, the Hopper 3 has the ability to watch and record up to 16 shows at one time, two times more than the competition allows you to record and watch. In total, you have 2,000 hours of recording space, two times more space than all other competitors.

Charter Spectrum TV

Another popular choice among many Americans is Charter Spectrum®, a cable TV service provider. Charter Spectrum TV, which finished its acquisition of Time Warner Cable in May 2016, enables you to experience more HD channels than all other providers, starting at just $29.99 per month if you bundle other Spectrum services (such as telephone and Internet) with your television subscription package. They are willing to buy out your current subscription to another provider for up to $500 in order for you to switch to them.

Spectrum TV Select enables you to get over 125 channels that include free HD, plus enables you to access thousands of On Demand programs, some of which are in HD or 3D. You can stream live TV and On Demand content on your mobile devices using the Spectrum TV app; you can also access your favorite network TV apps. You can also choose to add DVR service on up to four televisions in your home, totaling up to 780 hours of DVR storage. Spectrum TV Select starts at $64.99 per month for the first year.

Spectrum’s most valuable packages combine TV, Internet, and phone. They have three main packages. Their Triple Play Select package includes over 125 channels with free HD and free DVR service for $29.99 per month for the first year when bundled together with phone and Internet. Their Triple Play Silver package includes over 175 channels including premium channels Cinemax, HBO, and Showtime, along with free HD and free DVR service for $49.99 per month for the first year when bundled together with phone and Internet. Their Triple Play Gold package includes over 200 channels including premium channels Cinemax, HBO, Showtime, Epix, Starz, and Starz Encore, along with free HD and free DVR service for $69.99 per month for the first year when bundled together with phone and Internet.

Cox TV

Another popular choice for Americans is Cox cable TV provider. Cox’s latest cable television package is “Contour.” With Cox Contour, you get an innovative on-screen guide, Smart Search, voice remote control, up to 1,000 hours of DVR storage, and other features. The smarter search enables you to gain instant access to your TV channels, favorite shows, and new entertainment via a search engine that learns who you are and what you like. This is why the search engine also provides recommendations on what to watch based on your personal viewing choices and habits.

Cox Contour’s On-Screen TV guide enables you to quickly search two weeks of content on any channel. You can build your own personal library of On Demand movies, favorite TV shows, and more. It also allows you to access the last nine channels you’ve accessed more quickly so you don’t miss a minute of content. You can watch Cox Contour on any TV in your home with whole-home DVR. You have the ability to watch, record, or stream at your convenience. You also have the ability to select thousands of On Demand programs and even binge watch if you choose.

Cox TV packages include the aforementioned Contour package that includes over 130 channels of digital cable networks and HD television packages. Their most valuable packages include a bundle of television, Internet, home security, and phone packages. This includes the Cox Bronze Bundle with phone and Internet for $89.99 per month for the first year ($193.47 per month afterwards), including over 220 channels, and the Cox Silver Bundle with phone and Internet for $109.99 per month for the first year ($284.43 per month afterwards), including all Bronze Bundle channels and premium channels Cinemax, HBO, Showtime, and Starz. The Cox Gold Bundle with phone and Internet costs $129.99 for the first year ($306.47 per month afterwards), and includes all Bronze and Silver Bundle channels (including all premium channels), plus Epix.

TV Service Providers – A Conclusion

As you can see, you have many different television providers to choose from, including the seven we have gone over in this article. You essentially have the choices of going with a cable TV provider (Comcast XFINITY, Charter Spectrum, Cox) a satellite TV provider (DIRECTV, Dish), or an Internet-based service provider (Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse TV). Each provider has specific features and channel subscription packages for you to consider and choose from. Virtually all providers now give you the ability to utilize your voice to control your system, as well as the ability to record shows and play them back later from your DVR device. Most providers also give you the ability to watch television from almost any television in your home, and most will also allow you to access your shows and programming via their own custom apps. Due to the intense competition between all of them, most providers will provide you with special deals to get you to sign up, and some will even buy out your previous provider’s contract in an effort to get you to switch. It is best to consider all of the information presented here and on their sites (many useful links below) to truly determine which provider and package will provide the best entertainment value for you and your family.